Marine Patrol Woes...LDS

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by ApS

Years ago, Winter Harbor used to see many "boating stops", lasting 10-15 minutes. One time, when a Jet Ski (from Washington, DC) was given a written warning not to tow a skier after sunset, they were called back when the Jet Ski resumed the infraction. The Jet Ski was towed away!

Lately, with one exception, their job is to "show the flag". The exception? Winter Harbor's hit-and-run, when two MPs were sighted patrolling in a single morning. This was the second major boating event I could have seen from my porch. (The first was an under-aged operator Jet Ski fatality, of which there was zero follow-up).

That this $23 job can be filled at all is a testament to being paid over $100 a day to boat on Lake Winnipesaukee--plus having law enforcement experience on one's résumé.

You tie yourself in knots:

The job is reduced to waving the flag because they are understaffed at $23/hour

Getting paid $100/day to ride in a boat might be fun on a Sunday a couple of times a summer. That's very different than trying to pay the bills EVERY day while worrying about jet skiing jerks, drunks, people who might require you to draw your gun...

We undervalue our police (and firefighters, teachers, and other folks who are the backbone of our society) at our own peril